Rep. Melancon names Bonfiglio new chief of staff

U.S. Rep. Charlie Melancon (D-Napoleonville) has named Joe Bonfiglio chief of staff, replacing Casey O’Shea who has accepted the national field director job with the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee.

Bonfiglio previously served as chief of staff for U.S. Sen. Herb Kohl (D-WI). In addition, he served on Kohl’s Judiciary Subcommittee on Antitrust and his Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee. Before that, he was minority staff press secretary for the Senate Special Committee on Aging under then-ranking member Kohl.

On the House side, Bonfiglio served as communications director for Rep. Brad Miller (D-NC) for three years. He handled press for Miller’s 2002 campaign for North Carolina’s newly-created 13th Congressional District seat.

A graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Bonfiglio majored in economics and political science.

“I am very pleased Joe will be joining our team as chief of staff,” Melancon said. “Joe brings to the position his experience in working on both sides of the Hill, a strong background in political communications, and practical knowledge of Democratic politics in the South. I look forward to working with Joe to better serve the people of south Louisiana.”

The staff change will take effect at the end of November.

“Congressman Melancon has built such a strong team both in Washington and Louisiana and I’m thrilled I have an opportunity to join them,” Bonfiglio said.